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Collin Matiza Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE female Superbike rider Jessica Howden is slowly making a name for herself in the South African motor racing scene where she is now riding under that country’s top motorcycling racing team – Monroe Racing Team.

The 15-year-old rider has been on an intensive training course in South Africa for the past three weeks and this last weekend saw her participating in main circuit racing at the famous Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria, preparing for this coming weekend’s 300 South African National Class in Port Elizabeth.

She was scheduled to leave Johannesburg for Port Elizabeth yesterday.

Howden, daughter to veteran Zimbabwean motor racing driver Ian Howden, has been training with the coach of Anna Carrasco, who is currently leading the World 300 Superbike series, and she is happy with her progress so far.

Speaking after training at Zwartkops Raceway for the first time in her career at the weekend, Jessica said she felt “so good” and was looking forward to this weekend’s event in Port Elizabeth.

She will first compete in the 300 South African National Class on Saturday before racing in the 250 Short Circuit Class the following day.

“Another fantastic day at the track . . . This time Zwartkops main circuit, first time for me and it was all about getting ready for Port Elizabeth on the Yamaha 300. I was happy with my progress, but Uncle Vic Rich (of Monroe Racing Team) finally gave in to my begging to ride the ZX6 Kawasaki. I believe my constant lap times would have placed me 11th at yesterday’s Extreme Festival!

“I need to beg a bit more I think! So now we head to Port Elizabeth on Tuesday (yesterday), another new track, new adventure. So (I’m) looking forward to the opportunity. Stay tuned for updates!

‘‘A major (highlight) of the day was meeting Bianca (Ellis) who popped in to do a few laps with the team.

‘‘Thank you Bianca for riding with us and hope to see you at the track in Zim. Travel safe,” Jessica wrote on her Facebook wall at the weekend.

Her father, Ian, also told The Herald yesterday she will head back to Zimbabwe where she is expected to compete in the National Series in Bulawayo on September 1 on the Honda 250.

“She has done a lot of seat time on the Kawasaki 600 and may also race (on) it in Bulawayo on September 1,” Ian Howden said.

Jessica, who rides a Honda 250 locally and a Yamaha R3  3000 in South Africa, has only been riding since early June this year and she is eyeing on breaking into the tough European Superbike racing scene in the not-too-distant-future.